Combustion apparatus.



T. D. PILCHER.

COMBUSTION APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED NOV.-12, 1914.

1,198,375. Patented Sept. 12, 1916.

wumtoz THOMAS D. PILCHER, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

COMBUSTION APPARATUS.

Specification 01 Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 12, 1916.

Application filed November 12, 1914. Serial No. 871,765.

To all-whom it may concern Be it known that I, THOMAS a citizen of the United States, residing at \Vashington, District of Columbia, have in vented certain new and useful Improvements in Combustion Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to combustion apparatus, and consists especially in means, associated with a furnace and preferably with the flue that carries the products of combustion, for introducing a current of air to assist in the perfection of the combustion within the furnace itself.

As a principal object, this invention contemplates the provision of a combustion device of the type set forth, which will introduce an auxiliary draft in the flue in opposition to the escaping products of combustion to render the unburned gases given off capable of being consumed in the abovementioned manner.

An object depending upon the foregoing is to effect a saving in fuel by the combustion of the usually wasted gases and to further effect such saving by an application of the draft permitting each fuel fragment'to be thoroughly consumed.

An object coordinate with the foregoing is to secure certain desirable features of adjustability allied with this form of combustion device, and a subsidiary object is to enhance the utility of an apparatus of the character described in serving for purifying chambers of their foul or vitiated atmosphere. i

It is a further object of this invention to provide for a combined use of apparatus of. the type described in an interconnected series particularly adapted to increase the effect obtained by the use of a single apparatus in all the 'latters' adaptations and especially so in the instance of smoke-stack construction.

The above and further objects which may become apparent as the description proceeds are accomplished by such means as are illustrated in the drawings, described in the specification and then more particularly pointed out in the claims which are appended hereto and form a part of this application.

D. PILGHER,-

lVith reference to the drawings wherein there is illustrated several of the preferred embodiments of this invention as it is reduced to practice in the accomplishment of the abo-ve stated objects, and in which like characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views Figure 1 illustrates the application of the fundamental idea comprehended by this invention to a furnace, Figs. 2 and 3 are vertical sectional views illustrating respectively the application of a heater to the inlet pipe and a cold air inlet control, Fig. 4 illustrates a sectional View taken through a series of interconnected and respectively superimposed sections, Fig. 5 shows the adjustable lnlet extension, and Fig. 6 illustrates a sectional view showing a form of conduit afiordinga tortuous entering path to the incoming air.

The furnace A may be of any of the well known types and communicates with a chimney by means of the usual pipe B. Interposed on this pipe 13 is a section C somewhat larger than the pipe B and preferably formed of two parts I) of truncated conical form, abutting at their bases. \Vithin this section C is located an air supplying conduit E establishing communication between the outer air and the central portion of the pipe B, the conduit terminating axially within said section C. The escaping combustion products are met within this section and at this central point by the new oxygen atoms, the force of inflow of which causes a thor. ough admixture of the gases within the section C, the continuation of the force of inflow effecting a retro-action of the mixed gases, ultimately enabling them to be burned within the combustion chamber of the furnace and consequently producing a saving in fueL To the inner extremity of the conduit- E may be connected a heater F of the cylindrical form disclosed in Fig. 2,v such heater being provided with apertures'F'. The air conduit E is placed within the sections C instead of within the pipe B because it will not then impede the flow of products to the same extent as if it were situated within the pipe B. In fact one important object of my invention is to avoid a stifling of the draft, while at the same time causing an introduction of air into the section C, Preferably the proportions are as follows; flue B, 6 inches in diameter; section C, 10 inches long and 12 inches in diameter at the middle; and pipe F, 3 inches in diameter. These proportions I have found bypractical experiment to be very etficaciousalthough I do not limit myself to these particular dimensions.

The device has two dampers H and I, the former of which may be of any common or preferred shape. The damper I is of cylindrical form for longitudinal regulation within the pipe F, and has formed therein a pair of approximately parallel and opposite elongated orifices F 2, manipulation of this damper efi ecting an adjustment of the influx of air, so that, where a slow fire is desired, the damper is pulled outwardly to its limit in order to supply a larger quantity of oxygen to the gases incandescing above the fuel mass. It is apparent that both of these dampers H and I may be independently or simultaneously ,oper ated and in such different degrees as to vary the volume, of the admitted air proportionally to the volume of combustion products. This is important because of the natural variations of thermal and other conditions within the furnace which conscquentl v affect the force of the current of the products and the inward flow of air through the pipe.

In operation, the air flows into the condu-it through the pipe F being entrained as it were by the flowing products to the section C, it being also contemplated, however, to direct the air influx by means of a forced draft or pressure applied to the nozzle F as shown at F in Fig. 2. The air is axially delivered in the enlarged portion in opposition to the products of combustion passing through the fine. The air in mixing with the gases drives the latter back into the zone of higher temperature which causes ignition and hence improved coml'uistion. A further advantage resulting from this draft is that oxygen is supplied to the ordinary slow burning circumfereiitial edges of the ignited fuel pile which permits the fuel at these points to be thoroughly consumed, and consequently enlarges the heating capacity of the heating apparatus.

In Fig. 4 is shown a series of the sections CCU arranged in vertical alinement as indicated by the character T of this figure, the various inlet pipes FFF being adapted to have their respective cylindrical dampers I, so'positioned as to create various drafts and to consequently increase combustion, in essentially the manner set forth.

' I have found it desirable in. practical experimentation with my device to introduce an auxiliary air inlet for cold air at a point below the inlet nozzle E (Fig, 3). As

means for accomplishing this end, I arrange a number of oblong apertures, O, in a horizontal plane in the part D, such apertures to be removably covered by a similar apertured and rotatable ring V, whereby concurrent control of the apertures may be secured.

In Fig. 5 is illustrated an adjustable feature of the nozzle E in its relation to the inlet F this form being slidably mounted within the lower portion of the pipe F and being adjusted by a proper manipulation of the supporting chain X, the terminal link of which may be engaged as desired with a hook or similar catch member Y in supporting the nozzle. Extension of this nozzle into the truncated portion of the lower part D serves to decrease the action of the draft and assures a better control of the mixture. This is indispensable in the successful commercialization of this device since I have found from experience that apparently all fines are different.

In Fig. 6 is illustrated a special construction of the inlet conduit which is calculated to afford a tortuous path for the entering air enabling the latter to become heated before being mixed with the unburned gases of ordinary combustion. The entrant portion of the tube may be developed in an S- shaped curve with its mouth pointing downward into the pipe B so that the entering air is briefly detainedhand heated before admitted to the section C.

W'hat I claim is 1. The combination of a combustion apparatus, a fine having an enlarged portion spaced from the combustion apparatus, the diameter of the enlarged portion being greater than that of the fine, and an air conduit one end of which communicates with the atmosphere and having its inner end disposed axially within and terminating at a point between the twoends of said enlarged portion of the fine to direct air in opposition to the products of combustion passing through the flue.

2. The combination of a combustion apparatus, a flue therefor having an enlarged portion the diameter of which is approximately twice the size of the flue, and an air nozzle communicating at one end with the atmosphere and having its inner end terminating axially within the enlarged portion of the flue to direct air in opposition to the products of combustion passing through the fine.

3. The combination of a fine having an enlarged portion which is greater than that. of the flue, an air conduitone end of which communicates with the atmosphere and having its inner end disposed axially within and tern'iinating at a point between the ends of said enlarged portion of the flue to direct air in opposition to the products of combustion passing through the flue, and means for forcing air under pressure through the air conduit.

4:. The combination of a flue having a plurality of separated enlarged portions, the diameter of each enlarged portion being greater than that of the flue, a separate air conduit leading into each enlarged portion and terminating axially therein to introduce air in opposition to the escaping products of combustion.

The combination of a flue having an enlarged portion, an air conduit disposed axially within and terminating at a point between the ends of said enlarged portion of the flue, and ,a perforated enlarged air heating chamber on the inner end of the air conduit to introduce air into. the enlarged portion of the flue in opposition to the products of combustion escaping through the flue.

(S. The combination of a flue having an enlarged portion, an air conduit disposed axially within and terminating at a point between the ends of said enlarged portion of the flue, a perforated enlarged air heating chamber on the inner end of the air conduit to introduce air into the enlarged portion of the flue in opposition to the prod nets of combustion escaping through the flue, and a slotted slidable damper operating in the outer end of the air conduit to control the admission of air through the air heating chamber.

T. The combination of a flue having an enlarged portion, an air conduit one end of which communicates with the atmosphere and has its inner portion disposed axially within and terminating in the enlarged portion of the flue to direct air in opposition to the products of combustion passing through the flue. and av slotted damper at the outer end of the air conduit to control the admission of air through the conduit.

8. The combination of a flue having an enlarged portion, an air conduit terminating axially within the enlarged portion and provided with an air heating chamber having a perforated body to introduce air in opposition to the products of combustion passing through the flue, and means for controlling .the air passage through the air conduit.

9. The combination of a combustion apparatus, a flue having an enlarged portion spaced from the combustion apparatus, an air conduit one end of which communicates with the atmosphere and has its opposite end terminating axially within the enlarged portion of the flue to introduce air in opposition to the products of combustion passing through the flue, means for controlling the air passing through the air conduit, and a damper in the flue between the enlarged portion and the combustion apparatus.

10. The combination of a flue having an enlarged portion, an air conduit communicating with the atmosphere at one end and terminating at its opposite end axially in the enlarged portion to introduce air in opposition to the products of combustion passing through the flue, and a slotted damper slidably mounted in the outer end of the air conduit to control the admission of air.

11. The combination of a flue having an enlarged portion, an air conduit communicating with the atmosphere at one end and terminating at its opposite end axially in the enlarged portion to introduce air in opposition to the products of combustion passing through the flue, the inner end of the air conduit being perforated, and means for controlling the admission of air to the conduit.

12. The combination of a flue having an enlarged portion, an air conduit extending into the flue the outer end of the conduit communicating with the atmosphere and the inner end of said conduit having an enlarged air heating chamber perforated on its under side and axially disposed within said enlarged portion of the flue to direct air in opposition to the products of combustion passing through the flue, and means .for controlling the air passing through the air conduit.

13. The combination of a combustion apparatus, a flue having an enlarged portion spaced from the combustion apparatus, the diameter of the enlarged portion being greater than that of the flue, and an air conduit, one end of which communicates with the atmosphere, and having its inner end disposed within and terminating at a point between the two ends of said enlarged portion of the flue, the outlet end of ,the'air conduit being of less diameter than the di ameter of the flue and being disposed in the enlarged portion to direct air parallel with the walls of the flue in direct opposition to the escaping products of combustion-passing through said flue, the relative diameter of the flue preventing the air coming into contact with the walls of the flue in front of the open end of said conduit.

14. The combination of a flue having an enlarged portion, the diameter of which is greater than that of the flue, an air conduit communicating at one end with the atmosphere and having its inner end terminating axially within the enlarged portion of the flue to direct air in opposition to the products of combustion passing through the flue.

15. The combination of a flue having an enlarged portion, the diameter of which is greater than that of the flue, an air heating chamber disposed axially within the enlarged portion and provided with a perforated end to introduce heated air in the enlarged portion of the flue toward the prodnets of combustion passing through said fine, and a conduit communicating at one end with the atmosphere and at its opposite end with the air heating chamber 16. The combination of a flue having an enlarged portion which is greater in diameter' than that of the fine, an air heating chamber disposed centrally within the enlarged portion and provided at one end with openings to introduce air toward the escaping products of combustion passing through the flue, an air conduit communicating at one end with the atmosphere and at its opposite end with the air heating chamber, and means for controlling the passage of the products of combustion and air passing through the enlarged portion of the flue.

17. The combination of a flue having an enlarged portion, the walls of which are double truncated, an air conduit, one end of which connnunicates with the atmosphere and its opposite end terminates axially within the enlarged portion of the flue to introduce air in opposition to the products of combustion passing through the fine.

18. The combination of a flue having an enlarged portion, air introducing means which communicateswith the atmosphere and which has a portion disposed axially Within and terminating at a point between the ends of the enlarged portion of the flue, said means having an enlarged portion axially disposed in the enlarged portion of the fine for the introduction of air into the enlarged portion of the flue in opposition to the products of combustion escaping through the flue, and a damper for controlling the air passing through the air introducing means.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

THOMAS D. PILCHER. lVitnesses JOHN L. FLETCHER, C. V. P. NEWBOLD. 

